Pogacar seals Tour de France title

IN BRIEF

In an incredible climax to the Tour de France, Tadej Pogacar crushed fellow Slovenian Primoz Roglic in the last stage Saturday before the finish in Paris, all but guaranteeing that he’ll win the title at cycling’s greatest race.

Set, at one day shy of 22, to become the youngest post-World War II champion, Pogacar flew on the penultimate stage, an uphill time trial, devouring the 57-second lead that had made Roglic look impregnable before the showdown.

Also: This is Pogacar’s first Tour.

In the end, it wasn’t even close. Pogacar was sensational, not only ripping the iconic race leader’s yellow jersey from Roglic, but winning the time trial, too. Roglic managed no better than fifth, a whopping 1 minute, 56 seconds slower than his countryman.

“Unbelievable, unbelievable,” Pogacar said. “My head will explode.“

Not since British riders Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome finished 1-2 at the 2012 Tour has one nation taken the top two spots.

NFL: Saints receiver Michael Thomas will miss his first game in four years after being ruled out for Monday night’s game against the Raiders with an ankle injury . ... Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin has officially been ruled out of Sunday’s home opener against the Panthers after a concussion in Week 1 . ... 49ers end Dee Ford is out for Sunday’s game against the Jets with neck spasms . ... Lions tackle Nick Williams will miss Sunday’s game against the Packers with a shoulder injury.

NHL: Commissioner Gary Bettman said Saturday he wouldn’t be surprised if the next NHL season begins after the tentatively planned Dec. 1 start date. In his annual pre-Stanley Cup Final news conference, Bettman said there is still too much uncertainty to know what that season will look like. He wouldn’t address speculation about an all-Canadian division given the U.S.-Canada border closure.